Alonso Admits Challenges with Aston Martin AMR25 as Season Progresses
Fernando Alonso has acknowledged ongoing performance issues with the Aston Martin AMR25, which the team will likely carry through the remainder of the 2025 Formula 1 season. Despite securing his first points in the recent Spanish Grand Prix with a ninth-place finish, Alonso faces significant challenges after three retirements over the initial eight races.
In a press briefing in Canada, Alonso highlighted that the car continues to struggle with straight-line speed. “It’s a combination of a few things. The efficiency is not what we expected on this car,” he stated. He explained the need to balance downforce and speed: “To achieve grip in the corners, we sometimes have to sacrifice straight-line performance.” This compromise is more pronounced in race conditions compared to qualifying.
Alonso revealed that although there are ideas being explored to enhance this year’s car performance, many limitations will remain unavoidable through the season. He noted, “There are complications in the 2025 car we’ll have to keep until the end of the year.”
Looking ahead to 2026, Aston Martin has recruited Adrian Newey, former Chief Technical Officer of Red Bull, as Managing Technical Partner. While Newey’s influence is anticipated to impact future regulations, Alonso emphasized his focus on the current season: “With all the difficulties we have this year, having him onboard gives us confidence.”
Alonso concluded with a realistic outlook, stating, “We know how far behind we are now. Even with a regulation change, we need to find better performance with this year’s car.” He reiterated the importance of continuous team improvement for future competitiveness.
As the season develops, Aston Martin faces the dual challenge of addressing immediate performance shortfalls while preparing for the regulatory changes in 2026.
